History of Right to Information

INTRODUCTION: Right to Information has given a platform to the people to know about the proper functioning and the administration of the government. Before the need for Right to Information emerged, there were other acts such as the Evidence Act and the Official Secrets Act which gave certain privileges to the government to prevent certain documents to be disclosed to the public. As a result the government started using these privileges to serve their own ends. Slowly as time passed, people started questioning the administration of the government. Thus came the need for right to information.

HISTORY OF RIGHT TO INFORMATION:
MAZDOOR KISAN SHAKTI SANGATHAN:The need for the right to information first emerged when the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), an NGO located at Rajasthan started an organization against corruption by leading the people in asserting their Right to Information asking for copies of bills and vouchers and names of persons who have been paid wages mentioned in muster rolls(list of names of officers) on the construction of schools, dispensaries, small dams and community centres. Though all the projects were completed on paper, the villagers very well knew that the funds have been misappropriated because there were roofless school buildings, dispensaries without walls, dams left incomplete and community centres having no doors and windows. After many efforts the MKSS finally succeeded in getting photocopies of certain relevant documents which made the misappropriation of funds clearly obvious. . In some cases, the muster rolls contained names of persons who either did not exist at all or died years before. This incident is more than sufficient to show the importance of the ability of information for eradicating mal-practices. Later on MKSS organised a Jan Sunwai (People’s hearing), the first ever in the history of Rajasthan. Politicians, administrators, landless labourers, private contractors were all...

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...About Right to Information
1) This Act may be called the Right to Information Act, 2005.
2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
3) The provisions of sub-section (1) of section 4, sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 5, sections
12, 13, 15,16, 24 , 27 and 28 shall come into force at once, and the remaining provisions of this Act shall come into force on the one hundred and twentieth day of its enactment.
When does it come into force?
It comes into force on the 12th October, 2005 (120th day of its enactment on 15th June, 2005). Some provisions have come into force with immediate effect viz. obligations of public authorities [S.4(1)], designation of Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers[S.5(1) and 5(2)], constitution of Central Information Commission (S.12 and 13), constitution of State Information Commission (S.15 and 16), non-applicability of the Act to Intelligence and Security Organizations (S.24) and power to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act (S.27 and 28).
Who is covered?
The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. [S.(12)]
What does information mean?
Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases,...

...Introduction
The Right to Information Bill was passed by the Parliament on 13th May 2005. The Bill got the Presidential assent on 15th June 2005 to become the Right to Information Act, 2005. It is an Act to provide for freedom to every citizen to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, consistent with public interest, in order to promote openness, transparency and accountability in administration and in relation to matters connected there with. To bring about transparency and accountability and to implement the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005, INDO DANISH TOOL ROOM (IDTR) has made an attempt to provide certain information to citizens to empower them to exercise there right to Information. IDTR has designated Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) for dissemination of information. Appellate Officer has also been designated to provide facility to the public to appeal in case of non receipt of information sought for.
In case Information is not available as provided hereunder the said information can be sought under the Right to Information Act, 2005 by applying in the prescribed format. The format along with prescribed fees may be deposited which shall be forwarded to the CPIO and a date...

... Freedom of Information Act 2002 4
Enactment 5
Scope 5
Chapter 2 6
THE RTI ACT 6
Object of the Right to Information Act 7
RTI &amp; THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY 7
Chapter 3 8
REACHING THE MASSES 8
Chapter 4 11
What is the Right to Information? 11
Chapter 5 13
Whom does the Act apply to? 13
Are private bodies covered? 14
Are non-Government organizations covered? 14
What is Information? 14
What is a Record? 15
Chapter 6 16
What is a Public Authority 16
Public Information Officer 16
Assistant Public Information Officer 16
Chapter 7 17
Why is the Right to Information Act important for me? 17
Chapter 8 18
What are the salient features of the Act? 18
Chapter 9 20
What are the benefits of the Act? 20
Chapter 10 21
HOW TO APPLY 21
Application Fee 21
Additional Fee 21
What information is exempted from disclosure by public authorities? 22
Chapter 11 25
Disclosure of Third Party Information 25
Chapter 12 27
Suo Motu Disclosure 27
Protection for Work Done in Good Faith 27
Chapter 13 28
How can I apply for Information from a Public Authority? 28
Chapter 14 29
How much time does the authority have to reply? 29
Chapter 15 30
What do I do if my request is rejected or if I do not get the information requested? 30...